Awesome Journeys

The human story with its twists and turns, is full of surprise, shock, loss, wonder, even amazement. It is an awesome journey, although seldom celebrated as such. Here we raise a glass to Awesome. As we listen to these many stories, we are impressed with the variety of ways each finds awesome in their journeys. The book is designed to enable, encourage and celebrate the Awesome Journey. I know after a lifetime of listening that my own journey from darkness to light is, in some way, shape or form, everyone's journey. The convoluted nature of the human story was made visible in the labyrinth So, I risk being open about my own dark times. Then, I collect from friends their own "awesome journeys." I then lay out a path toward not only awesome but gratitude, blessing and resilience. Section One we engage fully the concept and the experience, celebrating the fascinating diversity of 16 persons. Section Two describes five detours and byways to avoid, such as the typical negative mind games people too often play. Section Three provides a panorama of 16 avenues designed to help us stay on track for living with wonder and amazement. The appendix provides the real-life story of the awesome journey of one awesome woman. This book is an unlikely minor miracle, full of serendipity in both the creating and the telling. Dr. Paschal Baute is a storyteller and dream-catcher, the blind veteran who writes books for his veteran community and has authored 40 books, with themes of gratitude, resilience and wellness. He has served his country over 23 years, enlisted and commissioned< active and reserve, all branches, longest as a navy chaplain. He earned his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. He was honored to be inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame Honor Roll, Class of 2018, for both outstanding military service and outstanding community service. The citation read in part: "Dr. Paschal Baute, service to his community is voluminous, a testament to his love of God and an insatiable passion to help others, even after being diagnosed by the VA as 'catastrophically disabled' (legally blind)." He is married 53ears to the same wife and is blessed with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lexington, KY 40509